Fiery arcs rise above an active region on the surface of the Sun in this series of images taken by the STEREO (Behind) spacecraft on January 27, 2010. The arcs are plasma, superheated matter made up of moving charged particles (electrons and ions). Just as iron filings arc from one end of a magnet to another, the plasma is sliding in an arc along magnetic field lines. In a movie of STEREO observations made between January 26 and January 29, the dynamic streams were initially just over the Sun’s edge and readily spotted as the Sun rotated them more into view.
About mid-way through the movie clip, a small coronal mass ejection (a stream of charged particles from the Sun) shoots out and into space at about a million miles per hour, carrying some magnetic field with it. The top image shows the beginning of the coronal mass ejection, while the lower image shows the solar matter leaving the Sun’s corona. Most coronal mass ejections are more bulbous and wide: this one is quite narrow and contained. Nonetheless, NASA solar scientists agree that its speed and characteristics suggest that it was indeed a non-typical coronal mass ejection.
A coronal mass ejection can cause problems on Earth. The energetic particles can damage satellites, cause communication and navigation problems in airplanes, and disrupt electrical power in homes and businesses. To understand the Sun and its effects on Earth, NASA has 17 missions, including STEREO, observing the Sun. On February 11, 2010, the fleet grew by one when NASA launched its most advanced solar spacecraft, the Solar Dynamics Observatory, to study the causes of solar variability and its impacts on Earth.
The Solar Dynamics Observatory will take detailed images of the Sun every 0.75 seconds and send 1.5 terabytes of data—the equivalent of 380 full-length movies—back to Earth every day. These observations will help scientists understand how the Sun’s magnetic field is generated and structured, and how the energy in the magnetic field is released into space as solar wind, energetic particles, and variations in solar irradiance.
Showing posts with label solar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solar. Show all posts
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Longest annular eclipse of the sun on Jan15
Sky enthusiasts in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, will have a rare opportunity to witness the longest annular eclipse of the sun, occurring on Jan 15 next.
"The annular phase runs from 10.44 am (IST),when the eclipse begins in the Central African Republic to the end of the eclipse on the Chinese Yellow Sea coast at 14.29 pm (IST)," Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centre Executive Director Dr P Iyamperumal told PTI today.
He said the maximum duration of annularity would reach 11 min 08 sec over Indian Ocean thus making it the longest annular eclipse.
Stating that this was a rare event happening about 108 years in Tamil Nadu, he said ""the annular eclipse will be visible from Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tuticorin, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Rajapalayam, Sivaganga, Karikudi, Pudukottai, Nagapatinam, Tanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Chidambaram".
"The annular phase runs from 10.44 am (IST),when the eclipse begins in the Central African Republic to the end of the eclipse on the Chinese Yellow Sea coast at 14.29 pm (IST)," Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centre Executive Director Dr P Iyamperumal told PTI today.
He said the maximum duration of annularity would reach 11 min 08 sec over Indian Ocean thus making it the longest annular eclipse.
Stating that this was a rare event happening about 108 years in Tamil Nadu, he said ""the annular eclipse will be visible from Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tuticorin, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Rajapalayam, Sivaganga, Karikudi, Pudukottai, Nagapatinam, Tanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Chidambaram".
Monday, August 31, 2009
Small Fluctuations In Solar Activity, Large Influence On Climate
11 connection between the mercy of the sun in the stratosphere of the tropical Pacific Ocean was running the weather to create a model of synchronization. The phase of the world this week, and Science magazine appear 』prolific. This study helps to get the edge in the predictive behavior of the most serious scientists. Several air-conditioned, India, like the monsoon and tropical Pacific prior fiscal year.
Scientists Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the weather by a powerful computer model of one of three international teams was more than one century. In meteorology, the battle more difficult question 1: If you are about to drive such a small format change the key of how the solar energy from the sun the whole world depends on 11 only 0.1 percent a year. Weather patterns on earth?
What two in the two regions, the effects of the sun is nothing new. Seems irrelevant. Response at maximum light, the substance of the Pacific sea surface temperature and stratospheric chemistry. Sunday, some air movement is a way to amplify the effects of the sun. This can be in the clouds cover the entire area and sea surface temperature changes in the very wind and rain. For best results the whole world and some hot and subtropical climate.
“Sun is in North America, such as the winter rain, and sea connections to work as the stratosphere,” NCAR scientists Gerald Meehl said the lead author. As to increase the players understanding of the solar cycle “can provide insight into the role. Science in weather patterns are expected to match the next 10 years.
This research is the National Science Foundation, NCAR is sponsored and supported by the State Department. Meehl global events like the recent construction of several documents and co-workers, some of Ranina between the peak of solar activity, however, and they explore the different links. Changes in surface pressure under El Nino and La Nina pattern of large width, known as the associated vibration.
And cooling water in the equatorial Pacific Ocean is the connection between the peak of solar energy, the first of NCAR, who co-Vanharimarifana Kororadorisachiasoshieitsu emergency was discovered by the author of the new paper.
Below the top.
Meehl vibration of the sun to generate changes in how his body is supported by his colleagues to establish a mechanism for one or two. You can work to expand the response of the tropical Pacific climate in the world together.
The first team is absorbed by ozone, the theory is a high-end products to see more sunspots solar energy. Stratosphere. Ozone stimulates the production of energy at the same time, the stratosphere, which absorbs more solar energy is most intense sun warms the air above the tropics. The most prominent non-uniform heat from warming the stratosphere, occur in low-latitude stratospheric wind. The editing is interconnected through a chain of processes, back up the healthy end of the summer rains.
At the same time, the date of solar maximum, a little heated. Surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Sunscreen, the clouds are not normal. Lead to the generation of increased evaporation of water vapor and heat some more. Rattouesuto tropical Pacific Ocean in the field of water, usually carried out in the rain to replenish and strengthen the mechanism of stratospheric open rain.
The top-down, with the strengthening influence of the stratosphere, the work of the rats, under the influence of the ocean. Balance very bright drier areas, other major enhancements in each sub-tropical low clouds to allow more sunlight to these changes. To encourage the air to generate a response of the skin and a good feedback loop.
These maximum response. Stratosphere. Sea, between the eastern equatorial Pacific cold in the sun, and also drier than normal conditions to produce a similar Ibentoraninya. But focus on the east about 1-2 more than usual cool Fahrenheit, is only about half of a strong La Nina. Showed a correlation with changes in wind patterns. Stratosphere.
Sun around the world for one year, or up to two single sunspot activity. Ranina like model is called slow change is likely to form as El Nino and solar maximum – the water instead of warm and cool tropical eastern Pacific. The answer is only about half of the strong flow of water moving here. As the warm El Nino and La Nina is a delay, as there is no consistent pattern occurs during solar cycle peak.
Building a cold sea.
Solar maximum, or real increase Ibentoraninya, the actual event, the delay of El Nino. 1989 ~ 1988 La Nina occurred near the peak year of solar maximum. Associated with significant changes in weather patterns such as unusual or strong La Nina. Air dry winter in the southwestern United States and usually mild.
Most of the regional weather patterns and sea surface temperature and precipitation in the Pacific storm in India. Driven by increased air, the world’s tropical and subtropical. Therefore, new studies are helping scientists to reduce the predicted solar cycle. To evaluate the flow and weather patterns associated with it in the region. In May, the next 10 years, or two or more different.
The answer is three views.
Elusive mechanism, in order to draw a connection to the sun and earth education team. Three one computer model is required to view the overlapping of the weather.
One is to analyze the relationship between sea surface temperature and the lower atmosphere. Cold War produced a small equatorial Pacific region during the solar maximum. Second generation model is the mechanism of ozone. Stratosphere. , However, the increase in meat production in some large tropical rain smaller format. Practice.
Version 3 of the ocean – atmosphere interaction is ozone. First time the combination of the two is found to generate a response of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Observed near the truth during the solar maximum.
“With the help of increased computer power, improved version was found in observational data. We have to clarify the details of the connection mechanism, climate change, the sun. And our air” Meehl said Ta.
Atmospheric Research with support from the National Science Foundation Kurabisuro University Corporation is the National Climate Research Center
Scientists Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the weather by a powerful computer model of one of three international teams was more than one century. In meteorology, the battle more difficult question 1: If you are about to drive such a small format change the key of how the solar energy from the sun the whole world depends on 11 only 0.1 percent a year. Weather patterns on earth?
What two in the two regions, the effects of the sun is nothing new. Seems irrelevant. Response at maximum light, the substance of the Pacific sea surface temperature and stratospheric chemistry. Sunday, some air movement is a way to amplify the effects of the sun. This can be in the clouds cover the entire area and sea surface temperature changes in the very wind and rain. For best results the whole world and some hot and subtropical climate.
“Sun is in North America, such as the winter rain, and sea connections to work as the stratosphere,” NCAR scientists Gerald Meehl said the lead author. As to increase the players understanding of the solar cycle “can provide insight into the role. Science in weather patterns are expected to match the next 10 years.
This research is the National Science Foundation, NCAR is sponsored and supported by the State Department. Meehl global events like the recent construction of several documents and co-workers, some of Ranina between the peak of solar activity, however, and they explore the different links. Changes in surface pressure under El Nino and La Nina pattern of large width, known as the associated vibration.
And cooling water in the equatorial Pacific Ocean is the connection between the peak of solar energy, the first of NCAR, who co-Vanharimarifana Kororadorisachiasoshieitsu emergency was discovered by the author of the new paper.
Below the top.
Meehl vibration of the sun to generate changes in how his body is supported by his colleagues to establish a mechanism for one or two. You can work to expand the response of the tropical Pacific climate in the world together.
The first team is absorbed by ozone, the theory is a high-end products to see more sunspots solar energy. Stratosphere. Ozone stimulates the production of energy at the same time, the stratosphere, which absorbs more solar energy is most intense sun warms the air above the tropics. The most prominent non-uniform heat from warming the stratosphere, occur in low-latitude stratospheric wind. The editing is interconnected through a chain of processes, back up the healthy end of the summer rains.
At the same time, the date of solar maximum, a little heated. Surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Sunscreen, the clouds are not normal. Lead to the generation of increased evaporation of water vapor and heat some more. Rattouesuto tropical Pacific Ocean in the field of water, usually carried out in the rain to replenish and strengthen the mechanism of stratospheric open rain.
The top-down, with the strengthening influence of the stratosphere, the work of the rats, under the influence of the ocean. Balance very bright drier areas, other major enhancements in each sub-tropical low clouds to allow more sunlight to these changes. To encourage the air to generate a response of the skin and a good feedback loop.
These maximum response. Stratosphere. Sea, between the eastern equatorial Pacific cold in the sun, and also drier than normal conditions to produce a similar Ibentoraninya. But focus on the east about 1-2 more than usual cool Fahrenheit, is only about half of a strong La Nina. Showed a correlation with changes in wind patterns. Stratosphere.
Sun around the world for one year, or up to two single sunspot activity. Ranina like model is called slow change is likely to form as El Nino and solar maximum – the water instead of warm and cool tropical eastern Pacific. The answer is only about half of the strong flow of water moving here. As the warm El Nino and La Nina is a delay, as there is no consistent pattern occurs during solar cycle peak.
Building a cold sea.
Solar maximum, or real increase Ibentoraninya, the actual event, the delay of El Nino. 1989 ~ 1988 La Nina occurred near the peak year of solar maximum. Associated with significant changes in weather patterns such as unusual or strong La Nina. Air dry winter in the southwestern United States and usually mild.
Most of the regional weather patterns and sea surface temperature and precipitation in the Pacific storm in India. Driven by increased air, the world’s tropical and subtropical. Therefore, new studies are helping scientists to reduce the predicted solar cycle. To evaluate the flow and weather patterns associated with it in the region. In May, the next 10 years, or two or more different.
The answer is three views.
Elusive mechanism, in order to draw a connection to the sun and earth education team. Three one computer model is required to view the overlapping of the weather.
One is to analyze the relationship between sea surface temperature and the lower atmosphere. Cold War produced a small equatorial Pacific region during the solar maximum. Second generation model is the mechanism of ozone. Stratosphere. , However, the increase in meat production in some large tropical rain smaller format. Practice.
Version 3 of the ocean – atmosphere interaction is ozone. First time the combination of the two is found to generate a response of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Observed near the truth during the solar maximum.
“With the help of increased computer power, improved version was found in observational data. We have to clarify the details of the connection mechanism, climate change, the sun. And our air” Meehl said Ta.
Atmospheric Research with support from the National Science Foundation Kurabisuro University Corporation is the National Climate Research Center
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Study says shines light on sun spot-climate link
Small changes in the energy output of the sun can have a major impact on global weather patterns, such as the intensity of the Indian monsoon, that could be predicted years in advance, a team of scientists said.
The sun swings through an 11-year cycle measured in the number of sun spots on the surface that emit bursts of energy.
The difference in energy is only about 0.1 percent between a solar maximum and minimum and determining just how that small variation affects the world's climate has been one of the great challenges facing meteorologists.
Using a century of weather observations and complex computer models, the international team of scientists led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in the United States showed that even a small increase in the sun's energy can intensify wind and rainfall patterns.
"Small changes in the sun's output over the 11-year solar cycle have long been known to have impacts on the global climate system," said Julie Arblaster, from the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, a co-author of the study published in the latest issue of the journal Science.
"Here we reconcile for the first time the mechanisms by which these small variations get amplified, resulting in cooler sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific and enhancing off-equatorial rainfall."
The researchers found that during periods of strong solar activity the air in the upper atmosphere, in a layer called the stratosphere, heats up. This occurs over the tropics, where sunlight is typically most intense.
The extra warming alters wind patterns in the upper atmosphere, which in turn increases tropical rainfall.
Increased sunlight at solar maximum also causes a slight warming of ocean surface waters across the subtropical Pacific, where clouds are normally scarce, says the study.
This extra heat leads to more evaporation, producing additional water vapour. The extra moisture is carried by trade winds to the normally rainy areas of the western tropical Pacific, driving more rain.
PREDICTIONS
In the tropical eastern Pacific, sea surface temperatures cool a little, creating conditions similar to a La Nina event. La Nina is the opposite phenomenon to El Nino, producing wetter weather in the western Pacific and drier weather in parts of South America.
The Indian monsoon and many other regional climate patterns are largely driven by rising and sinking air in the tropics and subtropics. Solar-cycle predictions could help meteorologists estimate how those circulation patterns, changes in sea surface temperatures and regional weather patterns might vary.
"The sun, the stratosphere, and the oceans are connected in ways that can influence events such as winter rainfall in North America," says NCAR scientist Gerald Meehl, lead author of the study.
"Understanding the role of the solar cycle can provide added insight as scientists work toward predicting regional weather patterns for the next couple of decades."
The sun is presently in a calm period after reaching a solar minimum at the end of last year, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States.
The next solar peak is expected in May 2013. (For more details, see: www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/)
"This paper represents a useful step forward in understanding how solar activity may lead to modest but detectable climatic effects," said Brad Carter, senior lecturer in physics at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
"It is a good reminder that solar activity is not an explanation of global warming over recent decades."
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Are SunSpots Dissapearing?
According to NOAA sunspot counts, the longest stretch of spotless suns during the current solar minimum was 52 days in July, August and Sept. of 2008. The current spate of blank suns is putting that record in jeopardy. The sun is entering its 43rd consecutive day with no sunspots, and there are none in the offing. Deep solar minimum continues.
Sunspots are made of magnetism. The “firmament” of a sunspot is not matter but rather a strong magnetic field that appears dark because it blocks the upflow of heat from the sun’s fiery depths. Without magnetism, there would be no sunspots. According to Bill Livingston and Matt Penn of the National Solar Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, sunspot magnetic fields are waning. The two respected solar astronomers have been measuring solar magnetism since 1992. Their technique is based on Zeeman splitting of infrared spectral lines emitted by iron atoms in the vicinity of sunspots. Extrapolating their data into the future suggests that sunspots could completely disappear within decades.
Don’t count out sunspots just yet, however. While the data of Livingston and Penn are widely thought to be correct, far-reaching extrapolations may be premature. This type of measurement is relatively new, and the data reaches back less than 17 years. “Whether this is an omen of long-term sunspot decline, analogous to the Maunder Minimum, remains to be seen,” they caution in a recent EOS article
Saturday, July 25, 2009
High tides in Chennai too...
A sense of understated fear wafted in the shore areas of Chennai as memories of a distant disastrous day came in waves, with the sea water encroaching into unchartered territories.
Though the tides were predicted by the Met officials, the rise in sea water in places like Srinivasapuram and Pattinapakkam, rang alarm bells among the residents, while the thoughts of tsunami hung in the area like the persistent smell of fish that the area is quite famous for. The sea water entered many hutment dotting the quaint coast of Chennai.
But even as Chennai’s shoreline was washed with warm waters of a turbulent sea, Mumbai was being lashed with high tides. According to reports, nearly 200 people have been evacuated from coastal areas, warnings have been sent out to those in low-lying regions and schools have advised students to stay at home as the financial capital braces for a massive 5.5 metre high tidal wave, billed as the highest in 100 years, to lash it Friday afternoon.
The high tide was expected to hit Mumbai and the surrounding Konkan region at 2.05 p.m. The waters will ebb only after three to four hours, met officials said. In the past two days, as waves measuring 4.85 and 5.1 metres lashed Mumbai, civic and disaster management authorities evacuated people — mostly shanty dwellers — from vulnerable areas like Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Andheri, Jogeshwari and even parts of neighbouring Thane.
The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has issued warnings to people in low-lying areas to watch out for the gigantic tide Friday and take adequate precautions. On Thursday, sea water rushed into several buildings in Cuffe Parade, Worli, Dadar, Prabhadevi, Andheri, Juhu, Khar and Malad.
However, for many Mumbaikars, the tides offered a rare view of a natural phenomenon after clouds obscured the solar eclipse Wednesday. Thousands of people excitedly saw the tides from a safe distance at places like Colaba, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty, Worli Sea-Face, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu Beach, Gorai Beach and Marve Beach yesterday. Today, greater numbers were at hand to witness the nature erupting in joy or anger
Though the tides were predicted by the Met officials, the rise in sea water in places like Srinivasapuram and Pattinapakkam, rang alarm bells among the residents, while the thoughts of tsunami hung in the area like the persistent smell of fish that the area is quite famous for. The sea water entered many hutment dotting the quaint coast of Chennai.
But even as Chennai’s shoreline was washed with warm waters of a turbulent sea, Mumbai was being lashed with high tides. According to reports, nearly 200 people have been evacuated from coastal areas, warnings have been sent out to those in low-lying regions and schools have advised students to stay at home as the financial capital braces for a massive 5.5 metre high tidal wave, billed as the highest in 100 years, to lash it Friday afternoon.
The high tide was expected to hit Mumbai and the surrounding Konkan region at 2.05 p.m. The waters will ebb only after three to four hours, met officials said. In the past two days, as waves measuring 4.85 and 5.1 metres lashed Mumbai, civic and disaster management authorities evacuated people — mostly shanty dwellers — from vulnerable areas like Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Andheri, Jogeshwari and even parts of neighbouring Thane.
The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has issued warnings to people in low-lying areas to watch out for the gigantic tide Friday and take adequate precautions. On Thursday, sea water rushed into several buildings in Cuffe Parade, Worli, Dadar, Prabhadevi, Andheri, Juhu, Khar and Malad.
However, for many Mumbaikars, the tides offered a rare view of a natural phenomenon after clouds obscured the solar eclipse Wednesday. Thousands of people excitedly saw the tides from a safe distance at places like Colaba, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty, Worli Sea-Face, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu Beach, Gorai Beach and Marve Beach yesterday. Today, greater numbers were at hand to witness the nature erupting in joy or anger
Monday, July 20, 2009
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